• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.12-30
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of SMG on the in vitro and in vivo inflammatory reactions. In experiment I, in vitro tests, ethanol extract of SMG showed potent radical scavenging activity tested by DPPH(I,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hyrazyl) method and inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced gene expressions of interleukin-1${\beta}$, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (above 50$\%$ at a concentration of 50㎍／㎖) by the macrophage RAW 246.7 cells. Among the herbal ingredients of SMG, ethanol extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis, Paeonia lactiflora, Glycyrrhiza glabra showed potent radical scavenging activity. And Glycyrrhiza glabra and Scutellaria baicalensis showed potent inhibitory activity of nitric oxide production. Especially, ethanol extract of Scutellaria baicalensis inhibited the gene expression of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$. In cyclooxygenase-2 assay, Scutellaria baicalensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra showed the potent inhibition of prostaglandin E2 generation. In experiment 2, in vivo tests, SMG showed inhibitory effects on vascular permeability (28.7$\%$) and leukocyte migration (11.5$\%$). These results mean that SMG has a anti-inflammatory effects by it's inhibitory effects of leukocyte migration and vascular permeability as well as it's inhibitory effects of lipopolysaccharide-induced gene expression of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$, and radical scavenging activity. Therefore, I expect that SMG may be used as a effective drug for treatment on inflammation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.452-461
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• 1994

Background: Tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-$\alpha$ and Interleukin(lL)-$1{\beta}$ are thought to play a major role in the pathogenesis of the septic syndrome, which is frequently associated with adult respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). In spite of many reports for the role of TNF-$\alpha$ in the pathogenesis of ARDS, including human studies, it has been reported that TNF-$\alpha$ is not sensitive and specific marker for impending ARDS. But there is a possibility that the results were affected by the diversity of pathogenetic mechanisms leading to the ARDS because of various underlying disorders of the study group in the previous reports. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the roles of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ as a predictable marker for development of ARDS in the patients with septic syndrome, in which the pathogenesis is believed to be mainly cytokine-mediated. Methods: Thirty-six patients of the septic syndrome hospitalized in the intensive care units of the Asan Medical Center were studied. Sixteens suffered from ARDS, whereas the remaining 20 were at the risk of developing ARDS(acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, AHRF). In all patients venous blood samples were collected in heparin-coated tubes at the time of enrollment, at 24 and 72 h thereafter. TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All data are expressed as median with interquartile range. Results: 1) Plama TNF-$\alpha$ levels: Plasma TNF-$\beta$ levels were less than 10pg/mL, which is lowest detection value of the kit used in this study within the range of the $mean{\pm}2SD$, in all of the normal controls, 8 of 16 subjects of ARDS and in 8 in 20 subjects of AHRF. Plasma TNF-$\alpha$ levels from patients with ARDS were 10.26pg/mL(median; <10-16.99pg/mL, interquartile range) and not different from those of patients at AHRF(10.82, <10-20.38pg/mL). There was also no significant difference between pre-ARDS(<10, <10-15.32pg/mL) and ARDS(<10, <10-10.22pg/mL). TNF-$\alpha$ levels were significantly greater in the patients with shock than the patients without shock(12.53pg/mL vs. <10pg/mL) (p<0.01). There was no statistical significance between survivors(<10, <10-12.92pg/mL) and nonsurvivors(11.80, <10-20.8pg/mL) (P=0.28) in the plasma TNF-$\alpha$ levels. 2) Plasma IL-$1{\beta}$ levels: Plasma IL-$1{\beta}$ levels were less than 0.3ng/mL, which is the lowest detection value of the kit used in this study, in one of each patients group. There was no significant difference in IL-$1{\beta}$ levels of the ARDS(2.22, 1.37-8.01ng/mL) and of the AHRF(2.13, 0.83-5.29ng/mL). There was also no significant difference between pre-ARDS(2.53, <0.3-8.34ngfmL) and ARDS(5.35, 0.66-11.51ng/mL), and between patients with septic shock and patients without shock (2.51, 1.28-8.34 vs 1.46, 0.15-2.13ng/mL). Plasma IL-$1{\beta}$ levels were significantly different between survivors(1.37, 0.4-2.36ng/mL) and nonsurvivors(2.84, 1.46-8.34ng/mL). Conclusion: Plasma TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ level are not a predictable marker for development of ARDS. But TNF-$\alpha$ is a marker for shock in septic syndrome. These result could not exclude a possibility of pathophysiologic roles of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ in acute lung injury because these cytokine could be locally produced and exert its effects within the lungs.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2002

In our study, the several cytokines were determined in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Adamantiades-Behcets patients. Adamantiades-Behcets disease (ABD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder and might involve immune dysfunction. High levels of $TNF-\alpha,\;IL-1\beta$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$ indicate the activation of inflammatory reactions and immune system in ABD. Gami-Phedoc-San (GPS) is an Oriental herbal medication, which has been used in Korea for the treatment of ABD. GPS (1 mg/ ml) significantly inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, $TNF-\alpha\;and\;IL-1\beta$, compared to absence of GPS (by $50.5{\pm}1.9%$ inhibition for $TNF-\alpha$ and $106.9{\pm}16.8%$ for $IL-1\beta$). GPS also inhibited the production of $IFN-\gamma$, immunoregulatory Th1 cytokine, by $78.4{\pm}2.8%$. The inhibitory effects of GPS on cytokine secretion showed dose-dependent manner, and the pre-treatment of 1 mg/ml GPS had better effects than immunosuppressive drug for treatment of ABD, cyclosporin A. Our results suggest that GPS treatment for ABD patients might have pharmacological activity of immune and inflammatory responses through the cytokine modulation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.413-418
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• 2010

Beta-Amyloid ($A{\beta}$)-induced neuroinflammation is one of the key events in the development of neurodegenerative disease. We previously reported that KHG21834, a benzothiazole derivative, attenuates $A{\beta}$-induced degeneration of cortical and mesencephalic neurons in vitro. In the present work, we show that KHG21834 reduces $A{\beta}$-mediated neuroinflammation in brain. In vivo intracerebroventricular infusion of KHG21834 leads to decreases in the numbers of activated astrocytes and microglia and level of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ induced by $A{\beta}$ in the hippocampus. This suppression of neuroinflammation is associated with decreased neuron loss, restoration of synaptic dysfunction biomarkers in the hippocampus to control level, and diminished amyloid deposition. These results may suggest the potential therapeutic efficacy of KHG21834 for the treatment of $A{\beta}$-mediated neuroinflammation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.453-462
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), an oriental herbal medicine, has been known to improve liver function, and has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, little is known about the immune-enhancing effects of PG and its mechanism. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether fermented PG extract (FPGE), which has increased platycodin D content, activates the immune response in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured using Griess reagent. Cytokine messenger RNA levels of were monitored by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory actions of FPGE in RAW 264.7 cells, we have conducted luciferase reporter gene assay and western blotting. RESULTS: We found that FPGE treatment induced macrophage cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. FPGE also modulated the expression of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. The activation and phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were increased by FPGE treatment. Moreover, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, an activator of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), significantly reduced both lipopolysaccharides- and FPGE-induced NF-κB reporter gene activity. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings suggest that FPGE may be a novel immune-enhancing agent acting via AMPK-NF-κB signaling pathway.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.115-119
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• 2018

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Daegangwhal-Tang (DGHT) hot aqueous extract on production of inflammatory mediators and antioxidants in RAW 264.7 macrophage. Methods: DGHT was extracted with water, filtered, concentrated and freeze-dried to perform. Cytotoxicity of DGHT extract was performed by MTT assay. Activated macrophages were treated with varying concentrations of DGHT extract (10, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$), and nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$) concentrations were measured to detect anti-oxidative effects. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 beta ($IL-1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha($TNF-{\alpha}$) concentrations were also measured to detect inflammatory responses to DGHT Results: Cytotoxicity of DGHT extract at concentrations of 10, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$ were not observed. NO production was significantly decreased in the DGHT hot aqueous extract $200{\mu}g/mL$ concentration group. $PGE_2$, IL-6, $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production was significantly decreased in the DGHT hot aqueous extract 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$ concentration groups. DGHT hot aqueous extract appeared to have DPPH free radical scavenging capability at all of concentrations, but did not exceed 50%. Conclusion: These results suggest that DGHT hot aqueous extract has concentration-dependent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effect.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.531-537
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• 2008

Abnormal activation of nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) probably plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (DMD). In this report, we evaluated the efficacy of curcumin, a potent $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor, in mdx mice, a mouse model of DMD. We found that it improved sarcolemmic integrity and enhanced muscle strength after intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection. Histological analysis revealed that the structural defects of myofibrils were reduced, and biochemical analysis showed that creatine kinase (CK) activity was decreased. We also found that levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-\alpha$), interleukin-1 beta ($IL-1\beta$) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the mdx mice were decreased by curcumin administration. EMSA analysis showed that $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity was also inhibited. We thus conclude that curcumin is effective in the therapy of muscular dystrophy in mdx mice, and that the mechanism may involve inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activity. Since curcumin is a non-toxic compound derived from plants, we propose that it may be useful for DMD therapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.269-273
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• 2005

Five dibenzylbutyrolactones were isolated from a methanol extract of Arctii fructus (Arctium lappa L.) by bioassay-guided isolation, using the interleukin-l $\beta$ converting enzyme (caspase-l, ICE) production inhibitory assay in vitro. These compounds were spectroscopically identified as lappaol E (1), lappaol A (2), matairesinol (3), arctigenin (4), and arctiin (5). Among the compounds tested, arctigenin (4) showed the strongest inhibitory activity for ICE production in IL-$\beta$-induced proliferation of D 1 OS cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the arctigenin suppressed the expression of ICE protein in a dose-dependent manner. To estimate the biotransformation of Arctii fructus in vivo by human intestinal bacteria, we carried out an anaerobic incubation of the Arctii fructus extract with a human fecal suspension. From the HPLC analysis of metabolites, Arctiin (IC$_{50}$=74.2$\mu$g/ml), a major component of Arctii fructus, was transformed to aglycone, arctigenin (IC$_{50}$=12.5$\mu$g/ml), by human intestinal bacteria. The ICE production inhibitory activity of Arctii fructus would be much stronger in vivo than in vitro due to the biotransformation by human intestinal bacteria.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.127-136
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• 2008

Caspase-11 has been known as a dual regulator of cytokine maturation and apoptosis. Although the role of caspase-11 under pathological conditions has been well documented, its physiological role has not been studied much. In the present study, we investigated a possible physiological function of caspase-11 during immune response. In the absence of caspase-11, immunized spleen displayed increased cellularity and abnormal germinal center structure with disrupted microarchitecture. The rate of cell proliferation and apoptosis in the immunized spleen was not changed in the caspase-11-deficient mice. Furthermore, the caspase-11-deficient peritoneal macrophages showed normal phagocytotic activity. However, caspase-11-/-splenocytes and macrophages showed defective migrating capacity. The dysregulation of cell migration did not seem to be mediated by caspase-3, interleukin-$1{\alpha}$ or interleukin-$1{\beta}$ which acts downstream of caspase-11. These results suggest that a direct regulation of immune cell migration by caspase-11 is critical for the formation of germinal center microarchitecture during immune response. However, humoral immunity in the caspase-11-deficient mice was normal, suggesting the formation of germinal center structure is not essential for the affinity maturation of the antibodies.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.31-49
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• 2016

Objectives The study was designed to evaluate the healing effects of Joaguihwan (JGH) extract on Anti-oxidation, Anti-inflammatory in RAW 264.7 Cells and factors related with bone metabolism in skull fractured Rat. Methods The fracture healing effect of JGH was measured by scavenging activities of1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) and nitric oxide (NO) in RAW 264.7 cells. The inhibitory effect against the production of inflammatory mediators including interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necosis factors-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) expression was inhibited in RAW 264.7 cells was experimented using JGH. The effects of JGH on healing fractured rats was measured by osteocalcin, calcitonin, CTXII, TGF-${\beta}$, BMP-2, Insulin, ALP in the serum. and was checked every 3 weeks from 0 week to 6week using x-ray. Results 1. DPPH free radica and ABTS scavenging activity of JGH were increased according to concentration of JGH in RAW 264.7 Cells. 2. In the experiment, NO, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ all showed decrease, in general. Especially NO and IL-$1{\beta}$ showed significantly decrease at a concentration of 10, 100 (${\mu}g/ml$). 3. In the production of osteocalcin in the serum, JGH 200, 400 mg/kg experimental group showed significant increased effect at 2 weeks. 4. In the production of calcitonin in the serum. JGH 200 mg/kg experimental group showed significant increased effect at 4, 6 weeks. JGH 400 mg/kg experimental group showed significant increased effect at 2, 4, 6 weeks. 5. In the production of CTX, TGF-${\beta}$, BMP-2 in the serum, experimental group showed increased effect. but no significant effect. 6. In the production of insulin in the serum. JGH 200, 400 mg/kg experimental group showed significant decrease effect at 2, 4, 6 weeks. 7. In the production of ALP in the serum. JGH 200 mg/kg experimental group showed significant increased effect at 2, 4, 6 weeks. JGH 400 mg/kg experimental group showed significant increased effect at 4, 6 weeks. 8. In the change of X-ray, the experimental group showed better healing effects on skull fractured rats than control group. Conclusions From above results, JGH showed healing effect on Anti-oxidation, Anti-inflammatory in RAW 264.7 Cells, factors related with bone metabolism in the serum of skull fractured rat and x-ray, which is expected to be applied in clinics.